NFPA 87: Recommended Practice for Fluid Heaters was created in response to requests from manufacturers, insurance companies, trade associations, and users for safety guidance for fuel-fired and electric fluid heaters. It provides guidance for fluid heaters to minimize the fire and explosion hazards that can endanger the fluid heater, the building, or personnel.

Fluid heaters are used in industrial environments to heat thermal and process fluids of all types; and the heated fluids are used in processes such as textile drying, pressboard manufacturing, gas sweetening, chemical synthesis, plastic molding, hot galvanizing, laminating, dry cleaning, and food processing.

Comprehensive coverage provides the current best practices for:

Location and construction

Heating systems

Commissioning and operations

Maintenance, inspection, and testing

Heating system safety equipment and application

Updates make NFPA 87 consistent with other NFPA® codes and standards.

Added definitions for Burner Management System (BMS), Emergency Shutoff Valve (ESOV), and other revisions correlate with the 2015 NFPA 86: Standard for Ovens and Furnaces.